Bill > SB1066

This bill expands Hawaii's existing renewable hydrogen program into a broader long duration clean energy storage initiative, transferring program oversight from the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to the Hawaii State Energy Office. The bill establishes a new Long Duration Clean Energy Storage Investment Capital Special Fund that can receive legislative appropriations, private and public contributions, and interest earnings to support research, development, testing, and implementation of energy storage technologies. The program will now focus on a wider range of storage technologies beyond just hydrogen, including pumped storage hydroelectricity, batteries, and other emerging technologies. Key program activities will include forming strategic partnerships, conducting engineering and economic evaluations of storage potential, supporting grid reliability projects, developing demonstration projects, creating public education initiatives, and promoting Hawaii's clean energy storage resources to potential investors. The bill also transfers all existing program rights, powers, and functions to the State Energy Office, ensuring that current employees retain their civil service status and benefits. To support this transition, the bill appropriates funds for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 to cover program costs and potential staff hiring needs, with the ultimate goal of making Hawaii more competitive for federal clean energy storage grants and enhancing the state's energy resilience, reliability, and affordability.

Government Affairs

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=1066&year=2025